U.S. patent number 4,729,370 [Application Number 06/861,515] was granted by the patent office on 1988-03-08 for ankle support.
Invention is credited to Charles Kallassy.
United States Patent |
4,729,370 |
Kallassy |
March 8, 1988 |
Ankle support
Abstract
An ankle support is provided with an underliner having
multi-directional stretch which fits over the wearer's foot in the
manner of a sock and extends to a point above the ankle. A
non-stretch lateral strap is secured to the underliner at a point
below the ankle joint and extends upwardly to the top of the
underliner, where it is inelastically secured, with provision being
made for adjustment of its tension. A non-stretch medial strap is
inelastically connected to the lateral strap therebelow. The medial
strap extends underneath the foot and up the opposite side thereof,
and it is inelastically secured to the leg near the top of the
underliner, with provision being made for adjustment of its
tension. The medial strap thereby supports the wearer's arch and,
in combination with the lateral strap, supports the ligaments of
the ankle joint and provides a "heel lock", to limit and balance
the lateral movement of the ankle joint.
Inventors: |
Kallassy; Charles (Irving,
TX) |
Family
ID: |
25336022 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/861,515 |
Filed: |
May 9, 1986 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
602/65;
D24/192 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
13/066 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
13/06 (20060101); A61F 013/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/166,165,8H,8R
;36/89,90 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Crowder; Clifford D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Darby & Darby
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An ankle support comprising:
an underliner defining a main body for said support, said
underliner being made of a stretchable material and fitting over a
wearer's foot in the manner of a sock, and extending to a point
above the wearer's ankle.
a non-stretch lateral strap secured to the exterior surface of the
underliner at a point between the bottom of the foot and the ankle
joint and extending upwardly and in general alignment with the
fibular ligament at the side of the foot to a point above the ankle
joint, said strap being inelastically secured with respect to said
leg at a point above said ankle joint so that the tension thereof
may be selectively adjusted; and
a non-stretch medial strap secured to the same side surface of the
underliner as the lateral strap, extending under the arch of the
foot and upwardly on the opposite side thereof, inelastically
secured to the lateral strap and inelastically secured with respect
to said leg at a point above the ankle joint so that the tension
thereof may be selectively adjusted;
said medial strap being effective to support the arch of the foot
and, in combination with said lateral strap, supporting the
ligaments of the ankle joint, thus limiting and balancing the
lateral movement of the joint.
2. An ankle support in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
underliner includes a cut-out at the rear thereof through which the
rear of the wearer's heel may protrude, whereby the ankle support
may be worn on a leg inside a shoe, without affecting the
lengthwise fit of the shoe.
3. An ankle brace in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
underliner is open at the front thereof and further includes upper
and lower closure means, each constructed to permit adjustable
securement of said underliner, whereby the fit and compression
thereof may be selectively adjusted.
4. An ankle support in accordance with claim 3 wherein at least one
of said closure means comprises a hook component and a
complimentary pile component.
5. An ankle support in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a
further non-stretch lateral strap inelastically connected to the
first lateral strap and the medial strap and disposed at a point on
said underliner in general alignment with the base of the fifth
metatarsal of the foot, said further lateral strap extending
upwardly and being inelastically secured with respect to said leg
at a point above the ankle joint so that the tension thereof may be
selectively adjusted.
6. An ankle support in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a
non-stretch anchor strap inelastically secured with respect to said
underliner so as to extend about the leg at a point above the ankle
joint, the securement of at least one of said lateral strap and
said medial strap with respect to said leg being achieved by means
for detachably securing said one strap to said anchor strap.
7. An ankle support in accordance with claim 6 wherein the
outwardly facing surface of said anchor strap includes one
component of a hook and pile closure device, said lateral straps
and said medial strap including the complimentary component of a
hook and pile closure device on the inwardly facing surfaces
thereof.
8. An ankle support in accordance with claim 7 wherein the
outwardly facing surfaces of said lateral straps include said one
component of a hook and pile closure device.
9. An ankle support in accordance with claim 8 wherein said medial
strap extends over at least one of said lateral straps in contact
therewith, whereby said medial strap aids in maintaining said
lateral strap in secured relationship with respect to said leg.
10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein the selective
tension adjustment of at least one of said straps is provided by
means of hook and pile closure means.
11. An ankle support in accordance with claim 6 wherein said medial
strap extends across the front of said ankle and is secured with
respect to said leg on the same side thereof as said first lateral
strap.
12. An ankle support in accordance with claim 6 further comprising
a non-stretch stirrup member secured over said underliner so as to
extend under said foot and upwardly on either side of said leg,
said lateral straps and said medial strap being inelastically
secured to said stirrup member.
13. An ankle support in accordance with claim 12 wherein said
stirrup member is L-shaped so as to extend along the lateral and
medial margins of the foot.
14. An ankle support in accordance with claim 6 further comprising
a further non-stretch lateral strap inelastically connected to the
first lateral strap and the medial strap and disposed at a point on
said underliner in general alignment with the base of the fifth
metatarsal of the foot, said further lateral strap extending
upwardly and being inelastically secured with respect to said leg
at a point above the ankle joint so that the tension thereof may be
selectively adjusted.
15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein the selective
tension adjustment of at least one of said straps is provided by
means of hook and pile closure means.
16. An ankle support in accordance with claim 14 wherein the
outwardly facing surface of said anchor strap includes one
component of a hook and pile closure device, said lateral straps
and said medial strap including the complimentary component of a
hook and pile closure device on the inwardly facing surfaces
thereof.
17. An ankle support in accordance with claim 16 wherein the
outwardly facing surfaces of said lateral straps include said one
component of a hook and pile closure device.
18. An ankle support in accordance with claim 17 wherein said
medial strap extends over at least one of said lateral straps in
contact therewith, whereby said medial strap aids in maintaining
said lateral strap in secured relationship with respect to said
leg.
19. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the selective
tension adjustment of at least one of said straps is provided by
means of hook and pile closure means.
20. An ankle support in accordance with claim 1 wherein said medial
strap extends across the front of said ankle and is secured with
respect to said leg on the same side thereof as said first lateral
strap.
21. An ankle support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the
outwardly facing surface of said anchor strap includes one
component of a hook and pile closure device, said lateral straps
and said medial strap including the complimentary component of a
hook and pile closure device on the inwardly facing surfaces
thereof.
22. An ankle support in accordance with claim 21 wherein the
outwardly facing surfaces of said lateral straps include said one
component of a hook and pile closure device.
23. An ankle support in accordance with claim 22 wherein said
medial strap extends over at least one of said lateral straps in
contact therewith, whereby said medial strap aids in maintaining
said lateral strap in secured relationship with respect to said
leg.
24. An ankle support in accordance with claim 1 further comprising
a non-stretch stirrup member secured over said underliner so as to
extend under said foot and upwardly on either side of said leg,
said lateral straps and said medial strap being inelastically
secured to said stirrup member.
25. An ankle support in accordance with claim 24 wherein said
stirrup member is L-shaped so as to extend along the lateral and
medial margins of the foot.
Description
The present invention relates generally to ankle braces and, more
particularly, concerns an ankle support which is fully adjustable
to a wide range of sizes, for providing compression and firm
support for the joint and ligaments of the ankle, without affecting
their normal function.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Traditionally, adhesive tape, or the like, has been applied to an
injured or weakened ankle, in order to support the joint and
ligaments thereof during physical activity. Although taping could
lend significant support to the ankle, a substantial amount of time
and effort is required in order to apply the tape properly, and the
perspiration and rigors of physical activity can result in the loss
of a significant proportion of the support after less than twenty
minutes of use. Furthermore, after tape has been applied to the
ankle of an athlete and he has had an opportunity to warm-up for
several minutes, he may experience cramping, pinching or some other
form of discomfort in one or more areas of the foot. To relieve
this discomfort, little cuts are made in the tape in the areas of
discomfort, in an effort to loosen the tape locally. However, each
time such a cut is made, some of the strength of the tape is lost,
and an early loss of the effectiveness of the entire structure
becomes more likely.
In an effort to overcome some of the shortcomings of taping, use
has been made of ankle braces. A typical prior art brace takes the
form of a sheathe or stocking which is worn on the foot and lower
leg. Some braces have made provision for selective tightening and
adjustability, for example by means of laces. One shortcoming of
such ankle braces is that they do not provide effective support to
the lateral ligaments in the ankle, and to get any support, they
must be secured so tightly that pinching and interruption of dorsal
flexion occur. Securing the brace as tightly as needed for any
meaningful support therefore would interfere with normal
movement.
Another type of known ankle brace is a lace-up model with an
elastic strap that fits over and around the ankle to provide
elastic support for the ankle. The problem with elastic straps and
the like is that they provide compression but very little
support.
Other braces in use today, have little pockets that receive metal
stays. They are used primarily for acute injuries, because they
limit normal motions of the foot to an extreme degree and, if worn
on a continued basis, can produce atrophy of the musculature in the
region.
Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the
disadvantages associated with ankle taping and prior ankle
supports. It is a specific object to provide an ankle support which
may be quickly and easily applied to and adjusted upon the wearer's
leg, while offering a high degree of firm, inelastic support for
the ankle joint, and not interfering with normal movement and use
of the joint.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an ankle
brace with a selectable amount of compression, in order to
accommodate the swelling and soreness associated with ankle
injuries.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an
ankle brace with a high degree of adjustability, in order to
accommodate a wide range of sizes and shapes of legs and feet.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ankle
support which, when applied, does not change the shoe size of the
wearer's foot and may be worn comfortably inside the shoe.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide and ankle
support which is convenient, efficient and effective in use, yet
relatively simple and inexpensive in construction.
In accordance with the present invention, an ankle support is
provided with an underliner having multi-directional stretch which
fits over the wearer's foot in the manner of a sock and extends to
a point above the ankle. A non-stretch lateral strap is secured to
the underliner at a point below the ankle joint and extends
upwardly to the top of the underliner, where it is inelastically
secured, with provision being made for adjustment of its tension. A
non-stretch medial strap is inelastically connected to the lateral
strap therebelow. The medial strap extends underneath the foot and
up the opposite side thereof, and it is inelastically secured to
the leg near the top of the underliner, with provision being made
for adjustment of its tension. The medial strap thereby supports
the wearer's arch and, in combination with the lateral strap,
supports the ligaments of the ankle joint and provides a "heel
lock", to limit and balance the lateral movement of the ankle
joint.
In a preferred embodiment, the underliner is provided with hook and
pile closures which permit adjustment of its fit and the
compression it provides. A second lateral strap is inelastically
connected to the first lateral and medial straps near the location
of the base of the fifth metatarsil. This second lateral strap
extends upwardly and is inelastically secured to the leg near the
top of the underliner with provision being made for adjustment of
tension. The inelastic securement (and adjustable tension) of all
straps near the top of the underliner is provided by means of a
non-stretch anchor strap which extends about the leg near the top
of the underliner. The first and second lateral straps and the
medial strap are secured at their tops to the anchor strap by means
of hook and pile fasteners, and the medial strap wraps around the
front of the ankle and over the first and second lateral straps, to
aid in their securement. The hook and pile fasteners assure
convenient and rapid adjustment of the ankle support.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The foregoing brief description, as well as further objects,
features, and advantages of the present invention will be more
completely understood from the following detailed description of a
presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiment of
the present invention, with reference being had to the accompanying
drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective review showing an ankle support in
accordance with the present invention in its applied position on
the leg of a wearer;
FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of the ankle support as
shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the ankle support;
FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the ankle support as
shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a rear view of the ankle support;
FIG. 6 is a top view of the ankle support; and
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the ankle support in its open
position, showing further details of various components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Turning now to the details of the drawing, FIGS. 1-6 illustrate an
ankle support embodying the present invention, as applied to the
right leg of a wearer. The support 10 would be provided in an
opposite version (a mirror image of the version illustrated) for
use on the left leg, and in several sizes (e.g., small, medium and
large) of each version. As will be explained more fully below,
after application, the support 10 remains in the position shown and
will readily fit inside the wearer's athletic shoes. Adjustments
can be made quickly and easily, and usually, without removing the
shoe.
The main body of ankle support 10 is an underliner 20, which is
made of neoprene. A closed-celled rubber is used because it will
not retain bacteria, fungi or other organisms that could propagate.
The underliner has a multidirectional stretch and provides warmth
and compression for the wearer's ankle. The underliner is unique in
that it has a heel cut-out 21, which allows the brace to fit into
an athletic shoe or any shoe without affecting the lengthwise fit
of the shoe. The widthwise fit of most shoes is adjustable, for
example by adjusting laces or wearing a sock of a different
thickness, but lengthwise fit is normally more difficult, if not
impossible, to adjust.
Ankle support 10 is somewhat unique in that it receives the
wearer's foot from the front and is a front closing brace. It is
closed by means of two components called the tibia or the calf
closure device (22,23) and the dorsal closure device (24, 25),
which is below the bone of the ankle. The numerals 22, 23 indicate
a conventional hook and pile closure device, the hook and pile
elements being indicated as 22 and 23, respectively. By adjusting
the angle of hook element 22 and its overlap relationship to pile
23, the fit of the upper portion of the neoprene underliner is
readily adjusted to accommodate a wide range of ankle and calf
thicknesses.
The lower or dorsal portion of the underliner similarly includes a
hook and a pile closure device 24, 25. The brace components are
preferably secured to the underliner by stitching. The dorsal
section again provides stretch and is applied by stretching the
hook component 24 over the underliner and affixing the closure
device 24, 25.
The combination of the adjustable upper and lower closure devices
provides a very wide range of fit for many foot types. For example,
the adjustment of the two closure devices relative to each other
accommodates a wearer with a very thick or very wide lower leg and
a thin or wide foot, and it provides for many other variations of
calf size in relationship to foot size. It also does not interfere
with normal dorsiflexion or plantarflexion of the ankle joint.
Also, application of the underliner and adjusting the fit in the
manner described above results in proper alignment of the other
components of the brace to provide a more comfortable and more
correct fit. The amount of compression of the underliner can,
likewise, be adjusted in this manner.
The underliner of the present ankle support therefore provides a
frontloading closure system, provides for a wide range of fit by
having a tibia closure and a dorsal closure, and also provides an
adjustable compression from the brace, as well as serving to align
the other components of the brace.
A nylon stirrup member 30 that is affixed to the underliner so as
to extend along either side of the leg and around the bottom of the
foot in the fashion of a stirrup. Stirrup member 30 is preferably
made of non-stretch nylon and is preferably secured by sewing.
Stirrup 30 is formed in an "L-shaped" configuration on either side
of the ankle, to provide a means for attaching the other components
so that they will not stretch, whereby the brace, in which the
various straps do not stretch, provides non-stretch support, not
elastic support.
An anchor strap 40 forms a loop going all the way around the brace
and all the way around the leg above the ankle. As will be
explained more fully below, anchor strap 40 is constructed so that
some of the other components of the brace can be anchored to it. To
apply anchor strap 40, its end is inserted through a buckle 36 and
the strap is pulled tight and folded back on itself. A piece of
vinyl 34 is provided to protect the leg from the buckle 36. The
outer surface of strap 40 is covered with a pile component 43 of a
hook and pile closure device, and attached to the end of strap 40
is a piece of hook element 42. This piece of hook material 42
affixes to the pile 43 in order to secure another strap 40, and it
creates an anchoring for stirrup 30. It also will anchor in place
some of the other components. By using the hook and pile closure
system for the anchor strap 40, it becomes an adjustable means of
pressure or an adjustable means of tightness for the brace, so that
it can also accommodate a wide range of lower leg sizes, yet it
will encircle the leg and attach to itself. If the lower leg were
very narrow, the hook component 42 could continue around the leg
and attach to any portion of pile component 43.
A piece of pile component 38 is secured on the stirrup over the
under-liner 20 below strap 40 so that first and second lateral
straps 50 and 60 can be affixed with a little more security and
with a little more bond to the brace. Both of these lateral straps
(50 and 60) correlate to some of the ligaments of the ankle that
are principally involved in an inversion or a lateral ligament
sprain of the ankle. The ligaments that they correlate to are the
anterior talofibular ligament (strap 60) and the calcaneo fibular
ligament (strap 50), either or both of which might be stretched or
partially or fully torn when an ankle sprain occurs.
The lateral strap 50, which will also be referred to as the
calcaneus strap, correlates to the calcaneus or the heel bone of
the foot. Pulling this non-stretch strap--the fact that it is
non-stretch is very important--affects the calcaneus bone in such a
manner that it closes the ankle joint (i.e., it effects the same
mechanics on the joint that the ligaments will effect), so the
strap supports or replaces those ligaments in the ankle. At its
bottom, strap 50 is secured to stirrup member 30, preferably by
sewing and it is secured at its top by means of a hook and pile
closure system, of which the hook component 52 is on the rear of
the strap 50 and affixes to pile components 40 and 38 by simply
being pressed against them.
On the outside of Strap 50, there is a piece of pile component 53,
to which strap 60 affixes by means of a hook component 62 on the
rear of strap 60. Strap 60 is secured to stirrup 30 at a point
corresponding to the base of the fifth metatarsal, to provide
additional reinforcement to this ligament group of the ankle. The
reason that the straps 50 and 60 are provided rather than only one
strap is that the two straps offer a wider range of adjustment and
accommodate a wider range of foot sizes, since it is possible to
adjust independently of each other the straps 50 and 60 and their
effect, comfort, positioning and fit.
A medial strap 70 is secured to stirrup 30 below and in general
lengthwise alignment with strap 50, in order to gain the effect of
a continuous strap. Strap 70 is also secured to the stirrup 30 so
that its secured end is in general alignment with the secured end
of strap 60. Strap 70 balances out the force that straps 50 and 60
have on the heel and on the subtalar joint, as well as on the
positioning of the calcaneus of the heel bone. Adjusting the
pulling relationship of the straps 50 and 70 with respect to each
other provides what is commonly called a "heel lock" in which the
foot is cradled, and lateral movement of the ankle joint is
limited, balanced and aligned. Strap 70 extends under the foot,
upwardly along the inside surface of the foot and across the front
of the ankle. As strap 70 is pulled upward, it provides an
antipronational force, which prevents rolling-in of the foot, and
it provides support to the arch which is very important in taping,
strapping or supporting the ankle. If straps 50 and 60 were pulled
up too much and there were no support on the inside surface of the
foot, the mechanism of the foot would be forced into a
predisposition to pronate (rotation of the arch inwardly and down),
but strap 70 counterbalances this effect on the subtalar joint and
creates a heel lock.
Strap 70 continues across the outside surface of the leg and, by
means of a hook element 72 of a hook and pile closure, is secured
to the pile surface 43 on strap 40. As a result, it provides
pressure on the hook and pile closures of straps 50 and 60, thereby
holding those straps in place and keeping them from being torn off
or loosened during use.
At the end of the anchor strap 40 there is a piece of pile
component 45 on the outside. This provides a greater range of
adjustment so as to accommodate a wide or narrow lower leg, a very
thick or fat ankle or bone structure or a combination of bone and
soft tissue. In order to increase the range of fit even further, a
piece of pile component 63 is provided at the top and at the
outside of strap 60. Hence, when strap 70 is wrapped around the
foot, it may be secured to a portion of pile, no matter where hook
element is positioned. Also, the way the material of the strap 72
contours to the foot, it will not interfere with dorsal flexion or
plantar flexion of the ankle.
The brace is provided in a left version and a right version and,
when applied, it is designed to resist lateral ligament sprains or
inversion of the ankle joint without affecting plantarflexion or
dorsiflexion of the ankle and/or to reduce instability to varus
stress to the ankle. It provides support to the lateral ligaments
of the ankle by means of two adjustable, non-stretchable straps
which allow for comfort and adjustability of support, and it also
provides a heel lock by means of the medial strap which provides a
balancing affect on the ankle joint and provides support for the
arch. The underliner provides compression, warmth, and
adjustability.
When the present ankle support is in use, if the athlete feels that
the brace is slipping down or loosening, he may adjust, tighten or
loosen it in just seconds. Because the tightening of the support
apparatus is above the shoe-line in most athletic shoes, it is very
quick and simple to adjust. This type of adjustability and support
has previously not been available in an ankle brace.
Although the present ankle support or brace is primarily designed
to resist inversion sprains of the ankle, to reduce instability to
varus stress and generally to provide warmth and compression to the
ankle, it has been found useful for medial sprains or sprains that
involve the deltoid ligament, which is on the inside of the ankle,
by using the support on the wrong leg (e.g., a right leg support on
the left ankle). The straps which should be on the outside of the
ankle are then on the inside of the ankle and provide support to
the medial, deltoid ligament which is frequently a site of
injury.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed
for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that many additions, modifications and substitutions are possible,
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as
defined by the accompanying claims.
* * * * *